Northern Ireland Assembly supports calls for an independent environment agency

Stormont's environment minister has been urged to bring forward legislation to establish an independent environmental protection agency for Northern Ireland.

Campaigners gathered outside Stormont ahead of Monday's Assembly debate on a motion put forward by opposition party the SDLP.

In 2020’s New Decade New Approach deal, it was promised “the Executive will establish an Independent Environmental Protection Agency” to oversee issues like the climate crisis, plastic pollution and our transition to a zero-carbon society.

Read more: Belfast cllr wants minister to reinstate higher fines for farm pollution

But instead of forming a specific body here, former DAERA minister Edwin Poots instead opted to bring Northern Ireland under the UK Office for Environmental Protection.

While the OEP is investigating NI issues like ammonia advice to councils it has not been able to probe DAERA’s environmental assessment regime because of funding cuts.

Campaigners, environmental NGOs and some politicians have long been calling for an independent EPA to fully hold government to account on all environmental issues, including the crisis now facing Lough Neagh.

The SDLP’s motion urged the Assembly to “declare an ecological and biodiversity crisis” and acknowledge and address ongoing issues like agricultural run-off, wastewater infrastructure, invasive species and address Lough Neagh management.

SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone ‘moved the motion’. He said: “It’s with some disappointment that I bring forward this motion today.... because we should have had an independent environmental protection agency in place already.”

He said the SDLP has supported an independent environmental protections agency for around 20 years and hit out at DUP opposition to the group and a UUP amendment to the motion, adding: “What’s strange is that the Ulster Unionist Party used to support an independent environmental protection agency.”

Tom Elliot moved an amendment for the UUP calling for a review of agencies already in place. He said he welcomes the motion and that the party has not changed its position.

He added: “All I’m asking is that we have a proper organised and structured review to see what agencies we don’t need.

“It’s going to take a lot more than an independent EPA to stop... blue green algae... or indeed getting the sale of Lough Neagh from a private owner.”

The chamber heard how NI’s water quality has been declining since 2015 while species numbers are declining and natue is under increasing pressure.

Linda Dillon spoke in support of the motion for Sinn Fein, saying: “Declines in biodiversity are intrinsically linked to climate change.”

She added: “Establishing an independent environmental protection agency... is the right thing to do.

“The OEP is simply not fit for purpose as an environmental watchdog here.”

The DUP’s Michelle McIlveen supported the UUP’s amendment calling for a review of bodies already in place, she added: “Before we add another body on top of what we have, we need to have a proper review of our environmental governance.

“Only then can we make a determination on where the gaps are and how those can best be filled.”

Alliance Party’s John Blair said they are “content to support the motion” and that every policy and pratice impacting Lough Neagh should be reviewed - including sand dredging which was approved by an SDLP minister.

He added: “Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK and Ireland without an independent environmental protection agency.”

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said: “The reason we need an Independent Environmental Protection Agency is simple.

“People do not trust Stormont to hold those poisoning Lough Neagh and elsewhere to account.”

Friends of the Earth led the calls outside Stormont for an independent EPA.

Its director, James Orr, said: “We have been waiting over 20 years for legislation to be brought before the Assembly and we can’t wait any longer. Our land, water and soils are at breaking point.

“Communities who love where they live are losing faith in politics.

“We are at a crossroads. There can be no more excuses.

“The Minister must introduce legislation to the Assembly without delay.”

Minister responds

Stormont’s Environment Minister, Andrew Muir, says he has been a long time advocate of an independent environment agency in NI but that “good environmental governance is more than a single issue... and taking a whole system approach”.

He says his officials have completed a report on the issue which he is currently considering.

In relation to the issues facing Lough Neagh, he said he requested the reallocation of resources within his department to ensure prioritisation of efforts to tackle its environmental problems.

He added: “I received £1.6 million of capital (funding in the budget) but I didn’t receive any resource, so the budget allocation to my department was disappointing, but I’m not going to just stop there.”

“What I’m doing is engaging officials to see how we can reallocate resources within the department so we can put the necessary resources into this area.

“We need to invest in turning the situation round in Lough Neagh.”

The minister said ownership models are being explored for the lough and that he prefers a community ownership model. He told the Assembly he has commissioned scientific research to assess the effect of removing sand from Lough Neagh.

The amendment fell and the motion passed.

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